Inside The Draft

June 21, 2002|By Ken Davis

Point Guards

Omar Cook took a look into his crystal ball last year and saw a logjam of point guards heading for the 2002 NBA draft podium. Cook decided to beat the rush and entered the 2001 draft, against the recommendation of many who thought he should spend more than one season at St. John's.

Cook fell into the second round and spent most of his season playing in the NBA's developmental league. Several of the point guards Cook tried to beat into the NBA -- Boston College's Troy Bell, Duke's Chris Duhon and Florida's Brett Nelson -- are staying in school. But Cook was right. This draft is deep in point guards. Duke's Jay Williams is expected to be the No.2 pick. Dajuan Wagner of Memphis should be a lottery pick. Frank Williams of Illinois would have been a lottery pick last year but his stock dropped after an inconsistent season.

He Can't Miss

Juan Dixon, 6-3, 164, Maryland, Sr.: Dixon is one of those college seniors who could get lost in the shuffle. Or he might hear his name called in the first round. It all depends on whether Dixon has convinced the scouts that he can handle playing the point after starring as a shooting guard at Maryland. Dixon skipped the Chicago predraft camp, an indication he thought his individual workouts had gone well.

A Project Sure To Pay Off

Smush Parker, 6-4, 180, Fordham, Soph.: Parker is lean and doesn't have much experience, but he definitely has potential. Parker turned heads at the Chicago predraft camp, and that helped his stock. It has been a long road for the 21-year-old known as ``The Grim Reaper'' around New York City's playgrounds. His mother died when he was young, he played only one season in high school and began his career at Southern Idaho Junior College before filling up the highlight reel at Fordham last season.

Bad Decision

Marcus Taylor, 6-3, 195, Michigan State, Soph.: He's the Omar Cook of this draft. That means he should have stayed in school. Taylor has terrific instincts and a decent shot. He's cocky and confident, which can be perceived as an attitude problem. Somebody will draft him, probably in the second round. One more year with the Spartans and he might have been a lottery pick.

Teams In Need

Bulls: Jerry Krause gets lucky by not winning the lottery. He doesn't have to pass on Yao Ming and gets Jay Williams, a perfect match for the Bulls.

Warriors: General manager Garry St. Jean covets Williams, but probably won't get him.

Bucks: Might be tempted to pick Frank Williams or Dan Dickau as a backup to Sam Cassell.

Hornets: Maybe the move to New Orleans will help them draft better. Passed on Jamaal Tinsley, Tony Parker and Joe Forte last year.

Top Prospects

Jay Williams, 6-2, 195, Duke, Jr.: He scores. He runs the offense. He defends. What else could you want from a point guard? Williams has been planning for this moment for three years. He could have been the top pick in last year's draft, but he decided to stay in school and finish his accelerated academic plan. Comes from a great program and a great family. He's a future All-Star.

Frank Williams, 6-3, 205, Illinois, Jr.: Here's an example of a guy who spent one year too many in college. Williams had a rough season and the Illini suffered as a result. His inconsistency, especially as a leader, made many scouts uneasy. Terrific defender. He won't slip far. Williams should go in the first round, somewhere in the teens.

Dajuan Wagner, 6-3, 200, Memphis, Fr.: Throughout high school and his one season at Memphis, Wagner proved he can shoot and score. Now he has to convince the league he can run the show from the point. Word is he has taken major steps in accomplishing that during his individual workouts. It was only a matter of time before he arrived in the big show. Wagner could go as high as No.3 and is a certain lottery pick.

Rising Stock

Tito Maddox, 6-4, 180, Fresno State, Fr.: Maddox sat out a season after leaving Fresno State but really impressed the scouts at the Chicago camp. He presented a solid package, showing an ability to score as well as terrific floor vision. Some say he has first-round talent, but he still might have more to prove.